PGCPS’s Professional School Counseling Program provides academic, career and personal/social support for students grades K-12. School counselors collaborate with school personnel, parents and the community to provide support through class guidance, small group, individual counseling and school-wide programs.
If your child is in need of individual counseling during virtual learning, please click the link for English or Spanish to complete the consent form*, and email it to joy.goggins@pgcps.org.
*School Counseling Consent Form/Formulario de Consentimiento de Consejería Escolar
The mission of the ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) program is to prepare ELLs to effectively use English language skills and academic strategies to participate confidently and successfully in the school community and beyond. Students, who are determined to be in sufficient need through language proficiency testing, receive language support from a certified teacher who has extensive knowledge of second language acquisition using effective strategies for meeting their needs.
ESOL students receive instructional support in order to gain English proficiency in their reading, writing, listening, and speaking skills.
Some of the strategies we utilize in our classroom are:
ESOL Teachers: Mrs. Jessica Shelton; Mrs. Susan Pinales
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
Specials are special area subjects offered to give a more rounded education to children in grades K through 6th. They are an addition to regular classroom studies, and they are taught by specialized teachers.
Fort Foote Elementary School offers the following Specials:
The intention of Visual Arts at Fort Foote is to advance students’ artistic development from scribble through the age of reason. Students learn to create & present their own artwork as well as respond and connect to others. Relevant themes and practical techniques are combined with the grade level curricula by the instructor. Examples of themes & practical techniques can include:
Teacher: Ms. Victoria Burnett
Italian is one of the 12 language programs offered in PGCPS. It is offered starting from the Elementary School in order to help students develop second language proficiency. Many experts and studies have shown that the ideal time to begin the study of a foreign language is in elementary school. Children in this age who study a foreign language show more flexibility, creativity, higher-order thinking skills, and improved listening and memory skills.
The Italian program builds knowledge of the language needed to communicate on a basic level (novice-low proficiency in speaking, reading, writing, and listening according to ACTFL Performance Guidelines).
Italian classes engage students in a varieties of listening, speaking, writing and reading activities through the use of realia, songs, games, technology, and various forms of digital media.
The skills developed in the World Languages classroom are of great value in interpersonal relationships, education, business, world trade, travel, scientific research, national security, and diplomacy.
Additional resources:
Teacher: Ms. Stefania Saccani
The Instrumental Music Program in the Prince George’s County Public Schools offers class instruction in band and orchestral instruments to interested fourth, fifth and sixth grade students. Students are released from classroom activities 2 days a week to participate in the instrumental music classes (see Appendix A for a sample schedule). Instruction is offered on violin, viola, cello, flute, clarinet, saxophone, trumpet, trombone, and baritone horn. Other band and orchestral instruments may be accepted into the program at the discretion of the teacher.
The parent or guardian is responsible for furnishing the instrument and all method books used in the program. In isolated cases, school-owned instruments are available to students. A budget for the purchase of supplementary ensemble music for each school may be provided by the school system.
A three or four month trial instrument rental-purchase plan as offered by many area music stores is recommended. The outright purchase of an instrument is discouraged.
Additional resources:
Teacher: Mr. Paul Hilliard
Supporting and maintaining school library programs ensures that local school systems can continue to provide stakeholder access to resources in order to prepare students for college, career, and life. Library Media Specialists (School Librarians) forge and maintain connections between schools and homes through access to materials whether in person or in remote settings. As leaders, they must continue to collaborate with staff and students to create information literate, informed and empowered digital citizens, and foster critical thinking. School Librarians are essential educators who positively impact students, staff, families and the school community.
Library Media Programs Provide Unique Learning Environments
The library program fosters a safe, inviting, and inclusive community learning environment that promotes a culture of belonging. School librarians build virtual and physical spaces that enable students to access materials in multiple formats to meet diverse instructional and personal needs. School libraries are dynamic learning environments that should remain functional in order to allow students to access the collection.
Library Media Programs Support Literacy and Student Achievement
A substantial body of research(1) finds that reading, writing, and graduation rates improve where schools employ certified school librarians. The benefits associated with effective school library programs are strongest for the most vulnerable and at-risk student groups.
Library Media Programs Foster Equity and Connections
School librarians maintain diverse collections by selecting literature that enables students to develop knowledge, share experiences and cultivate empathy. They guide students to consider multiple perspectives on global issues, historical injustices, and underrepresented voices. School libraries offer spaces and resources that encourage a sense of belonging and support social and emotional learning. This is where students not only encounter a variety of voices, but also where they learn to use and share their own voice as both consumers and creators of content.
Additional resources:
Teacher: Ms. Florida Valdez
The Vocal and General Music program of instruction provides all students with resources and experiences to develop appropriate music skills. Through the implementation of sequential musical concepts, students develop an understanding of the intrinsic value of music and its relationship to diverse cultures, traditions, values, and beliefs. The program is also designed to foster enjoyment and appreciation of music beyond the classroom.
Teacher: Ms. Latorre-Perez
The Physical Education program at Fort Foote ES is based on the Society of Health and Physical Education (SHAPE America) Standards and Grade Level Outcomes. SHAPE America’s five standards focus on developing physically literate individuals that have the knowledge, skills, and confidence to enjoy a lifetime of healthful physical activity. At the elementary level, the focus is on the foundational skills, knowledge and personal/social responsibility in a physical activity setting.
Teacher: Mr. Greenlaw
The mission of Special Education is to provide specially designed instruction and related services to children and students with disabilities from birth to age 21; to ensure that the rights of students with disabilities are protected and that federal and State regulatory requirements are met; and to provide resources to parents, guardians and families of children and students with disabilities.
SPED Teachers: Mrs. Sherene Ellington; Mrs. Melanie Smith
The TAG (Talented and Gifted) Pull-Out Program use Renzulli Learning and First in Math (FIM). These programs have been developed specifically to meet the needs and abilities of gifted learners and are based on research-supported best practices that engage and challenge students and cultivate critical thinking, creativity, time management, collaboration, and other 21st century skills.
Renzulli Learning is an interactive online system that provides a personalized learning environment for students, which allows teachers to easily differentiate instruction to increase engagement and achieve higher academic performance. Renzulli Learning supports strength based personalized learning in all subjects for students in grades Pre-K through 12.
First In Math features hundreds of engaging math games designed to strengthen fact fluency, automaticity, computational thinking and other critical skills. Whether students are working on addition or algebra, built-in practice GOALS encourage achievement and keep them energized to sustain accelerated effort over time.
Building Math Fluency with First in Math
TAG Teacher: Ms. Florida Valdez
